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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/08/eu-workers-in-food-and-drink-industry-need-assurance-over-brexit
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| EU workers in food and drink industry need assurance over Brexit | EU workers in food and drink industry need assurance over Brexit |
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| Nearly 4 million people are employed in growing, harvesting, producing, packaging, selling and serving our food and drink. | Nearly 4 million people are employed in growing, harvesting, producing, packaging, selling and serving our food and drink. |
| In light of the vote for Brexit, the importance of food and drink to our nation’s economic and physical wellbeing should be recognised and its future secured. In recent years, Britain has enjoyed access to a wider range of safe, high-quality food and drink, at every price point, than ever before. At a time when household incomes are under increasing pressure, shop prices for food have been kept in check for more than three years and, if that is to continue, the government must ensure the place of food and drink both in our new industrial strategy and at the heart of the Brexit negotiations. | In light of the vote for Brexit, the importance of food and drink to our nation’s economic and physical wellbeing should be recognised and its future secured. In recent years, Britain has enjoyed access to a wider range of safe, high-quality food and drink, at every price point, than ever before. At a time when household incomes are under increasing pressure, shop prices for food have been kept in check for more than three years and, if that is to continue, the government must ensure the place of food and drink both in our new industrial strategy and at the heart of the Brexit negotiations. |
| Workers from the EU, some of whom are already leaving the UK, play a significant role in delivering affordable and high-quality food and drink. The government should offer unambiguous reassurance to EU workers throughout our supply chain about their right to remain. For the longer term, it is important to recognise that these workers are highly flexible and provide an essential reservoir of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour. | Workers from the EU, some of whom are already leaving the UK, play a significant role in delivering affordable and high-quality food and drink. The government should offer unambiguous reassurance to EU workers throughout our supply chain about their right to remain. For the longer term, it is important to recognise that these workers are highly flexible and provide an essential reservoir of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour. |
| If we adopt a work-permit system to control immigration, then the whole of our supply chain must receive equal treatment with financial services or the automotive sectors. All options should be explored, including a workable points-based system for shortage occupations, sector-based and seasonal/guest worker schemes and effective transitionary arrangements. If they are not, the UK will face less food choice and higher food prices.Ian Wright Director general, Food and Drink FederationPaul Rooke Head of policy, external relations, Agricultural Industries ConfederationJames Smith President, Association of Bakery Ingredient ManufacturersPaul Wheeler Chair, Association of Cereal Food ManufacturersDavid Camp Chief executive, Association of Labour ProvidersKate Nicholls Chief executive, Association of Licensed Multiple RetailersAndy Tighe Policy director, British Beer and Pubs AssociationChris Stemman Executive director, British Coffee AssociationJohn Hyman Chief executive, British Frozen Food FederationJack Ward Chief executive, British Growers AssociationHenrietta Sameke Technical policy adviser, British Meat Processors AssociationRichard Griffiths Chief executive, British Poultry CouncilHelen Dickinson Chief executive, British Retail ConsortiumGavin Partington Director general, British Soft Drinks AssociationDeclan O’Brien Director general, British Specialist Nutrition AssociationGordon Polson Director, Federation of BakersSandra Sullivan Director, Food and Drink Exporters AssociationNigel Jenney CEO, Fresh Produce ConsortiumLiz Murphy CEO, International Meat Trade Association and National Association of Catering ButchersAlex Waugh Director general, National Association of British and Irish MillersBob Price Director and policy adviser, National Association of Cider MakersTerry Jones Director general, National Farmers UnionMichael Bell Executive director, Northern Ireland Food & Drink AssociationDick Searle CEO, Packaging FederationMichael Bellingham Chief executive, Petfood Manufacturers’ AssociationAndrew Kuyk Director general, Provision Trade FederationJames Withers Chief executive, Scotland Food and DrinkSimon Cripps Chairman, Seasoning and Spice AssociationSharon Hall Director general, Potato Processors’ Association and Nut and Crisp Manufacturers’ AssociationSteve Morgan Chair, UK Flavour Association | |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |